“The Fall” is a departure from the standard Norah Jones formula that launched her overnight success in the fact that NJ spends more time playing guitar than piano. Tonight, she mostly held tight onto a red and white strat while wearing a cute silver and black dress with hot pink pumps…Oh Yeah!!! Some have called this a break up album and I can see that for sure. Most of the material seems to have been written during or inspired by the ending of a long term relationship with her former bass player, Lee Alexander. But beyond that, the album’s sound even has a concept feel as each song plays off a distinct ambience that truly compliments NJ’s liquid velvet voice.

Jones’ official website has stated that she “has taken a new direction on the The Fall, experimenting with different sounds and a new set of collaborators, including Jacquire King, a noted producer and engineer who has worked with Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, and Modest Mouse among others. Jones enlisted several songwriting collaborators, including Ryan Adams and Okkervil River’s Will Sheff, as well as her frequent partner Jesse Harris. King also helped Jones put together a new group of musicians to perform on the album, including drummers Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.) and James Gadson (Bill Withers), keyboardist James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Al Green), and guitarists Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), Smokey Hormel (Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer)”, Lyle Workman, (Bourgois Tagg, film composer for Superbad), and Peter Atanasoff (Rickie Lee Jones, Tito and Tarantula).

On a completely stripped down stage totally absent of any obnoxious diva-like decorations or costumes, Norah and her crew delighted the theatre seated audience with water-tight precision song after song. The live versions were better than the album cuts and that is how it is supposed to be. “Tell Yer Mama” and “Light As A Feather” (co-wrote with Ryan Adams) set the tone right out of the gate letting everyone know they were here for only one reason – the music. Accompanied center stage by Sasha Dobson who was wearing a sassy red dress and bee-hive hairdo straight out of the 50’s, NJ commanded the stage making it evident that she was the band leader. She made her way from guitar to organ to upright effortlessly all while delivering her trademark syrupy sexy vocals…

The thing that I have noticed the most about Norah Jones over the years is the people she has chosen to surround herself with. The lady has an appreciation for many types of music but seems to be drawn to the singer-songwriters the most. She caught me off guard by doing a Neil Young cover off his 1975’s Zuma album- “Barstool Blues”. Also, it is no secret that NJ considers Willie Nelson to be her mentor. She paid tribute to him tonight by playing a song he wrote almost 50 years ago, “What Do You Think of Her Now.” It is that kind of respect for history that inspired her to take some unfinished Hank Williams lyrics to complete “How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart”. A song she played on The Sundance Channel’s “Spectacle” with Kris Kristofferson, Roseanne Cash, Elvis Costello, and John Mellencamp. The term “Old Soul” seems to come to mind.

Speaking of keeping good company and although I have mentioned some of these people before I would like to give the full run down of the performers here tonight – Norah Jones (vocals, guitar, piano); Sasha Dobson (backing vocals, guitar); Smokey Hormel (guitar); John Kirby (keyboard); Gus Seyffert (bass); Joey Waronker (drums).  This is about as solid as it gets, I found myself thinking of Lucinda Williams or Natalie Merchant from time to time during the show because these females have the knack of always having new and/or top notch musicians with them every tour.

The set list this night included:
1. Tell Yer Mama
2. Light As A Feather
3. Chasing Pirates
4. Even Though
5. Young Blood
6. It’s Gonna Be
7. Broken
8. What Do You Think Of Her Now
9. Sunrise
10. Waiting
11. Carnival Town
12. Back To Manhattan
13. Sinking Soon
14. Barstool Blues
15. Man Of The Hour
16. Don’t Know Why
17. Stuck
18. Lonestar

Encore:
19. How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart
20. Come Away With Me

Norah Jones is a breath of fresh air in what I will call the mainstream music scene. She lets her music do the talking and leaves the paparazzi and entourages up to the “divas”. It was very pleasing to see a class act being revered by her fans with such reserved restraint. I look forward to seeing what Ms Jones has in store for the future. Whatever it is I know that it will come from the bedrock of respect for ones that have come before. I suspect that one day Norah Jones will be held in the same regard by some yet unborn quirky and shy girl with an open mind and uncontainable talent. Until next time, I will see you out supporting live music.